Back in the classroom, Lady Seraphina worked diligently on her assigned paper, "Theoretical Physics," while Granny Anne hovered over her, nodding in approval before turning her stern gaze toward Princess Elara, who was peacefully snoring, her cheek pressed against the open, untouched pages of her book.Granny Anne sighed deeply, muttering under her breath before picking up her cane and swiftly whacking Elara on the head."OWIE!" Elara shot up, rubbing her head as Seraphina suppressed a chuckle."Your Highness! This is simply unacceptable. You haven't even opened your books! At this rate, by the time you're Queen, you won't even know how to count to ten on your fingers!"Elara, still half asleep, began mockingly counting on her fingers. "One... two... three... four..." She didn't get to five before another thwack from Granny Anne's cane landed squarely on her hand."OW! SERAPHINA!" Elara cried, turning to her friend for help."Yes, Your Highness?" Seraphina asked sweetly, not even bothering to turn from her work."Make the lady stop hitting me with a stick!""Ma'am, the Queen said Granny Anne could do whatever's necessary to ensure you're passing your required courses... especially after you failed the last twenty exams."Elara groaned dramatically. "But I thought I was your best friend!"Seraphina gave a soft sigh, her smile growing slightly forced. "Other than Aedric, you are my only best friend, Your Highness.""SHUSH, BOTH OF YOU!" Granny Anne's voice cut in, her cane slapping against the table. "Seraphina, finish those problems!""Yes, ma'am," Seraphina answered immediately, diving back into her work.Granny Anne turned her sharp eyes to Elara, who was once again trying to sneak her way back into sleep. "Now, why can't you be more like Seraphina? She's a proper lady! Proper etiquette, proper posture, proper diligence. Honestly, if you keep this up, Seraphina might as well be the heir to the throne."Seraphina side-eyed Granny Anne with a worried expression, feeling the weight of the statement. Elara, though, seemed completely unfazed. She stretched dramatically, her body slouching in the chair."And where do you think you're going?" Granny Anne demanded."Through the window, Granny.""Wha—"Before Granny Anne could react, Elara had already swung open the window to her right, leaping out with grace."NO, YOUR HIGHNESS!" Granny Anne's shout echoed as Seraphina's jaw dropped.Elara plummeted a few feet before shouting, "AERO!" She summoned a cloud beneath her, landing effortlessly on the swirling mist and drifting off into the sky."GUARDS!" Granny Anne screamed, shaking her cane. Two Silver Horn guards rushed in. "Alert the Queen that Her Highness has decided to take a joyride!"The guards hurried out as Granny Anne stood there, shaking her head in disbelief. "None of the royals gave me this kind of trouble. None!" she muttered angrily. Her sharp eyes flickered back to Seraphina. "You're such the perfect little darling. A shame you're just a lady-in-waiting... You could've been among the greats."Seraphina's smile faltered slightly. "Th-Thank you, ma'am. Just a lady-in-waiting."Far from the castle, in the peaceful wilderness, Aedric lay on a grassy hill beside a sparkling river. Dressed in a simple khaki tunic and trousers, with a lion pendant hanging around his neck, he rested his arms behind his head. His fishing rod leaned lazily against a rock while his black steed, Augustine, grazed nearby. The world seemed to slow in this tranquil moment, the breeze carrying the scent of pine and fresh water.Aedric's eyes wandered up to the sky. What would it be like to float up there, he mused, drifting without purpose or destination..."Good way to spend my day off, isn't it?" he asked aloud, glancing at Augustine, who snorted in agreement before taking another mouthful of grass. "No sparring sessions, no magic training, no regimens. Just you, me, and the fishing pole.""And me as well!"Aedric blinked, recognizing the voice immediately. His calm evaporated as he slowly opened his eyes to meet the mischievous grin of Princess Elara, who had somehow snuck up on him."Hi, Aedric! Whatcha doing?" she asked cheerfully, plopping down beside him on the grass.Aedric sighed, closing his eyes again. "Aren't you supposed to be in lessons today, Your Highness?"Elara stretched out beside him, her head resting on her arms. "Yeah... but I bailed. Granny Anne was teaching the same old boring stuff.""Pretty sure you're not supposed to bail out of your lessons. That's sort of the point of having them," Aedric replied, his voice laced with dry humor.Elara groaned, pulling her legs closer and hugging herself. "Now you're starting to sound like Granny Anne."They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Aedric glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noticing the hint of frustration hidden beneath her usual playfulness."How'd you even find me?" he asked. "Took me two hours to get here on horseback."Elara grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "I used Aero! Crossed short distances, and by coincidence, I came across you."Aedric raised an eyebrow. "Aero? That's a high-level technique. Even I haven't mastered it fully." He gave her a curious look. "Granny Anne's teaching you magic like that now?"Elara hesitated before shrugging. "No... not really. Seraphina and I found a few advanced books. We've been practicing together, trying to get ahead."Aedric chuckled, impressed despite himself. "You and Seraphina, huh? Sounds like you've both been working hard... when you're not leaping out of windows, that is."Elara shot him a playful glare. "Don't you dare tell Granny Anne."Aedric laughed softly, shaking his head. "Your secret's safe with me, but you might want to stop skipping out on lessons before Granny Anne has you locked in the library for good."Elara rolled her eyes, then smiled, lying back on the grass. "Thanks, Aedric. I know I'm not the most... responsible princess, but it's nice to know you're always looking out for me."Aedric smiled gently, looking up at the sky again. "That's what friends are for, right?"The two lay in silence, their easy companionship filling the space between them, the river's gentle flow a peaceful backdrop to the moment.